Arsenal have pulled a deal out of their arse on deadline day to land Thomas Partey from Atletico Madrid after they paid his release clause.
Arsenal looked like they would end deadline day with a disappointing window having landed none of their main midfield targets but on the final day they agreed to pay Partey’s £45m release clause, seriously annoying Atletico Madrid and Diego Simeone in the process.
Atletico Madrid are 'upset' at how Arsenal and Thomas Partey have gone about things, reports AS.
The Spanish club thought they had a good relationship with Arsenal, and that they'd be contacted ahead of any move to pay the clause.
— Sport Witness (@Sport_Witness) October 5, 2020
Seemingly neither Arsenal nor the player told Atletico about the move, leaving it to La Liga to inform them after Arsenal had triggered his release clause. Given Atletico have spent all summer stating they would not negotiate and, if Arsenal wanted to sign Thomas Partey, they needed to pay his release clause, it seems a bit weird to be crying about Arsenal doing just that.
El @Arsenal deposita en LaLiga el importe de la cláusula de rescisión de Thomas Partey, que extingue de forma unilateral su contrato con nuestro club.
ℹ https://t.co/WhTQbb1rhm— Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) October 5, 2020
Translated it says, “Arsenal deposits in LaLiga the amount of Thomas Partey’s termination clause, which unilaterally terminates his contract with our club.”
https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1313239039819087874
https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1313241301148749824
Anyway, the 27-year-old defensive midfielder has been linked with Arsenal for a number of years with the player seemingly wanted by the club throughout their last three managers and his frustration in Spain has been bubbling for at least two years.
While Arsenal seemed to turn all their attention to Houssem Aouar they were left scrambling for Partey on the last day of the window after it became clear Aouar would not be leaving Lyon. At least, that’s how the media narrative has spun it. What actually happened I’m sure we will find out over the coming weeks.
Thomas will reportedly earn £200kpw.
Technical director Edu, said: “Thomas has all the right attributes to be a top player for Arsenal. He is a leader on and off the pitch and he is exactly the kind of player and person we want at the club. We already feel like we know Thomas very well based on the work we have done analysing his performances closely in recent times.
“With his all-round game and positive aggressive style, he will be a brilliant addition to our squad. We’ve made a strong start to the season and we want to continue to build on this with Thomas now part of our club.”
Mikel Arteta added: “We have been watching Thomas for a while, so we’re now delighted to add such a high quality player to our squad. He is a dynamic midfielder with great energy. He brings a lot of experience from a top club that has competed at the highest level in La Liga and the Champions League for several years.
“We’re very impressed with his attitude and his approach to the game. He’s an intelligent footballer and we’re looking forward to him integrating into our system and contributing to the progress we’re building at the moment at the club.”